Wad forming machine



Oct. 13,1942. WIS 2,298,391

WAD FORMING MACHINE -Filed Aug. 25, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l 'Figzf INVENTOR ARTHUR d. LEW/s V5 ATTORNEY Y A. .1. LEWIS WAD FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 19:59 I

4 Shets-Sheet? mung vlflllllfllllllllfi a mm INVENTOR ART/wk J. LEW/J w i Ca -m ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 11v Vzzvrok 0a.. 13, 194 2. A. .1. LEWIS MAD FORMING ukcnnin Filed Au 25, 1939 #Sheets-Sheet 4- IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY from the following description taken in Patented Oct. 13', 1942 UNITED srAres ATENT ore-Ice Remington of Delaware wan FORMING MACHINE I Arthur J. Lewis, Stratford,fConn., 'assignor to Arms Company,

Inc., a corporation Application August 25, 1939, Serial No. 291,85' I This-invention relates to amachine for molding of articles from a slurry containing wadforming materials and particularly the molding 01' wads for shot shells, although it is not limited to molding said wads.

As is brought out in the process described in the patent to Woodford (2,026,765), it is possible to mold gun wads individually from a mixture of a relatively coarse fibrous material such as hair, a relatively fine and partially hydrated material such as a wood pulp and a somewhat granular filler material such as sawdust. Varying proportions of these may be mixed, such as disclosed.

by'Woodford, although it is to be understood that as far as the present invention is concerned, the particular mixture is immaterial. The materials selected after being prepared in the desired manher are then put into suspension in a liquid in a concentration up to about a concentration onthe order of 1%being preferable, this likewise being a matter of choice. In the production 4 Claims. (Cl. 92-59) through the lateral perforations. A plunger then comes down on the wad and compresses it, squeezing out more of the liquid through a plurality of holes located in the'plunger and through the holes in the bottom plunger. As described in Woodford, the wad-forming material, due to the axial and lateral drainage, becomes properly arranged in the formed wad. I The lower plunger is then withdrawn and the upper plunger moves manufacture of gun wads, it is necessary that a machine be employed that will. cheaply and accurately produce the wads in quantity. and such is one of the objects of the present invention.

Further objects'of the invention will appear tion with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the left half of the device in the direction indicatedby the line of Fig. 2. l

Fig. 1A is asectional elevation of the upper part of the device, approximately along the line l.A--|B ofFig. 2.

Fig. 1B is a sectional elevation of the lower part of the device, approximately along the line lA-IB of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with portions thereof in section.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the sequence of the various operations.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one ofthe in-,

dividual molding elements.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the air valves looking in the ,direction of 5-5 of Fig. 2.

connecfurther downwardly, thereby ejectingthe formed wad.

In the formation of wads there are in general four moving parts that may be operated by suitable cam surfaces located on the periphery of stationary portions of the machine.- Referring now to Fig. 3, a description will be given of the sequence of events in the formation of the wads as applied to a single molding element assembly. As stated". above, the slurry contains the wadforming materials in low concentration such that they will settle out rapidly. A tubular mold 20 having lateral perforations 2| has the slurry containing the wad-forming materials fed thereto. This is done by means of'the slurry measuring means 22, which at the start of the operation, as atA, is below the surface 23 of the slurry in a slurry container 24 (Fig. 1A). As the machine A description of the sequence of operations will i be first given having special reference to Fig. 3,

which will be followed by a detailed description 7 of the machine.

The machine in general is of the rotating type having stationary cam races that actuate the various moving parts, said moving parts being mounted on a rotating carrier, there being any desired number of complete individual molding assemblies mounted on the carrier. It is evident that the assemblies may be grouped and more than one operated at the same time by a single set of cam rollers.- The slurry is fed toa stationary slurry holding means from where it is rotates, the various parts are reciprocated in their vertical directions by. contact with vertical cams located on stationary portions of the machine. The slurry measuring means is moved upwardly as the machine advances, from A to B for example, until it reachestthe upper end of the tube 25, which allows the slurry contained in the slurry measuring means 22 to flow through the tube 25 and into the tubular mold 20. At this time-the imperforate sleeve 26 is in its downward position coyering the perforations 2| of the tubular mold 20. As the machine advances further in its rotation, the imperforate sleeve 26 is moved up-' wardly.,as seen at C, allowing the liquid to flow outwardly through the lateral perforations 2| after the wad-forming material has settled at the bottom of the mold as at 21. of the element, to D, causes the hollow reciprocating plunger 28 to move downwardly against the wad 21, compressing the wad material. The

reason for the plunger being hollow will become Further rotation wardly. The lower plunger also has holes 30! which allow passage of the liquid downwardly;

At this point, air is introduced into the hollowreciprocating plunger 28, which forces the excess liquid up through the openings 32 (Fig. 4) of the plunger 28. As the machine continues itsrotation, the individual element will be returned to the position indicated at A (Fig. 3), where the lower reciprocating plunger 30 is withdrawn and the hollow reciprocating plunger 28 makes a further downward movement through the tubular mold 20, ejecting the formed wad. A blast of air through the hollow reciprocating plunger 28 may be utilized to assist the ejection of the wad from the bottom of the plunger.

The machine comprises a stationary base 3| having a drainage trough 32l therein. The movable parts of the machine are mounted on the base and may be circular and rotatable thereon. They are mounted on the ball bearings 33 and the friction bearing 34 on the upstanding portion 35 of the base 3|. The stationary slurry holding tank 35 is fed by the pipe 31 with the slurry containing the wad-forming materials, said tank being a separate casting or integral with base 3|. The stationary slurry holding tank 35 has pipes 39, at spaced points, feeding the slurry into the slurry container 24. The presence of pipes 39 assists in the agitation of the slurry in container 24 as the container 24 rotates. The overflow from the slurry container will flow over the edge 40 and .be returned from the annular chamber 4| through pipe 42 to a' recovery tank or to waste, thereby keeping a constant level of the slurry. The moving parts of the machine are supported by a lower carrier ring 43 which-as stated, has bearing surfaces 33 and 34 with the main frame. At the upper ortion of the machine, a spider-like frame 44 is spaced from the lower carrier ring 43 by means of rods 45 which may have suitable adjustable connections with the frame 44. The slurry container 24 is carried by the rods 45 in the correct position, as will be described later. As previously stated, a number of individual wad molding elements may be located about the-periphery of the moving carrier, said rotating carrier including the lower carrier ring 43, the rods 45, guide frame 58 and upper frame 44. The tubular molds 20' having lateral perforations 2! are mounted on the lower carrier ring 43. Surrounding the tubular molds are the imperforate sleeves 25,

riorly of tubes 28, only one of the plates being shown in Fig. 2. Said passages are connected by means of passages 5| to the openings 52 which, at predetermined points in therotation ofthe carrier, register with similar openings 58 and 53' in the stationary valve housing I4 located on the frame, supplying air to the hollow plungers and thereby to the openings in the lower end of said plunger 28, as will be described in detail later. The slurry measuring means 22 is reciprocated vertically by means of a cam roller 54 engaging a cam race 55 located on the stationary slurry holding means 35. Reciprocation of .the slurry measuring means carries a measured charge of the slurry upwardly as at AB (Fig. 3) until the upper part of tube 25 has been reached, whereupon said charge will feed into the mold 20. The imperforate sleeve 25 at this point will cover the lateral perforations 2| of the tubular mold', 20. The sleeve 25 is reciprocated in a vertical direction by means of the cam roller 55 operating in the cam race 51 located on a stationary portion of the machine. 'As the machine rotates, the sleeve is drawn upwardly, allowing the excess water or liquid to escape. The hollow reciprocating plunger 28 is operated by the cam roller 59 operating in the cam race 60 located on the upper surface of the stationary slurry holding means 35.

which are slidably mounted at the r lower end.

on said tubular molds. The tubes 25 are carried by the slurry container 24. At the upper end of said tubes 25 and slidable thereonare located the slurry measuring means 22, said slurry measuring means sliding downward on said tube and being filled by the slurry within the container 24 through the opening 46 in said slurry measuring means. The container is so positioned that the measuring means will be below the surface of the slurry at the lower portion of their travel. The hollow reciprocating plunger rod 28 carries at its lower end a wad-forming plunger 41. The lower reciprocating plungers 30 are mounted at 48, closing the bottom of the molds. The hollow reciprocating plungers 28 have tubes 45 entering the inside thereof at the upper end for the purpose cf receiving air from the passages 55. The

' tubes 49 are fastened to plates 38 and have a substantially air-tight sliding connection inte- .therefor.

The plunger 28 is reciprocated downwardly and compresses the wad in-the tubular molds 20. At this time, the mold. closing plunger. is against the bottom of the mold and the wad is compressed. At this point in the rotation of the -machine, a passage 52 registers with passage 52,

allowing air to flow through the hollow plunger 28 and causing the excess liquid to be forced through passages 32 (Fig. 4) and away from the formed wad, air being fed to the hollow passage 53 through pipe connection 59 Plates 59l serve to clamp the valve block 14 in position over the ring I5. The air pressure is required, as otherwise the liquid would not be removed and would be again absorbed by the wad. As the carrier rotates further from position D to A of Fig. 3,

the hollow plunger 25 is caused to make another downward movement by the cam race 50, ejecting the wad onto a suitable receiving means The air passage 53' registers with 52 'and feeds air to the plunger assisting in the ejection of the wad, air being fed to the hollow passage- 53 through a pipe connection at 18. It is to be understood that different arrangements of the air valves may be used.

The rotating carrier may be operated by a suitable driving means or motor 58 through gear ing 54, the carrier being guided in its rotation by bearings 33, 34 and 55. The excess liquid that is drained from the tubular molds 20 is caught in the annular receptacle .55 and is led to the drainage trough 821 by pipe or pipes 51.

The driving motor 53 operatesthe pulleys 15 that in turn drive the gears H, one of said gears being mounted on ashaft which may have a suitable pinion thereon to engage gear teeth located on the carrier to rotate the same.

slurry of wad-forming materials, the combination tainer to feed slurrythereto; a stationary cam race on said frame; a slurry measuring means slidably mounted on each tube and engaging said cam race, the measuring means being moved upwardly by the cam race to feed slurry from the container into a mold through the open end of the tube, upon rotation of the carrier; 2. second stationary cam race on the frame; an imperforate comprising: a frame; a stationary slurry holding sleeve on each mold engaging said second cam race and slidable to uncover said lateral drain- Y age perforations upon rotation of the carrier; a

third stationary cam race on the frame; a wadformingplunger reciprocable interiorly within each mold and tube and engaging said third cam race to be reciprocated for forming a wad after slurry has been fed to a mold as the carrier is rotated; a fourth stationary cam race on the frame; and a reciprocable lower plunger for each mold closing the bottom thereof, said reciprocable lower plunger engaging the fourth stationary-cam race to uncover the mold after the wadforming operation is complete.

2. In a machine for making gun wads from a slurry of wad-forming materials, the combination comprising: a frame; a stationary slurry holding means; a rotatable carrier; a slurry container, tubular wad molds provided with lateral drainage perforations and a tube for each mold having an open end extending above the slurry in said container, said container, molds and tubes being mounted on and rotatable with the carrier; connections between said holding means and the container to feed slurry thereto; a stationary cam race on said frame; a slurry measuring means slidably mounted on each tube and engaging said cam race, the measuring means being moved upwardly by the cam race to feed slurry from the container into a mold through the open end of the tube upon rotation of the carrier; a second stationary cam race on the frame; an I imperforate sleeve on each mold engaging said second cam race and slidable to uncover said lateral drainage perforations upon rotation of the carrier after slurry has been fed to a mold; a

third stationary cam race on the frame; a wadforming plunger reciprocable interiorly within each mold and tube and engaging said third cam race to be reciprocated for assisting in the formation of the wads from the wad material deposited in the molds; a fourth stationary cam race on the frame; and a reciprocable lower plunger for closing the bottom of each mold, said reciprocable lower plunger engaging a fourth stationary cam race to uncover the mold after the wad has been formed, said third cam race further moving the wad-forming plunger of the uncovered mold to eject the wad from the mold as the carrier is rotated after wad formation.

3. In a machine for making gunwads from a slurry of wad-forming materials, the combination comprising: a frame; a stationary slurry holding means; a rotatable carrier; a slurry container,

tubular wad molds provided perforations and a tube for each mold having an open end extending above the slurry in said container, mounted on and rotatable with the carrier; connections between said stationary holding means animperforate sleeve oneach mold engaging said second cam race and slidable to uncover said lateral drainage perforations upon rotation of the carrier; a third stationary cam race on the frame; a hollow wad-forming plunger reciprocable interiorly within each mold and tube and engaging said third cam race to be reciprocated for assisting in the formation of the wads after the slurry has been fed to a mold as the carrier is rotated;

connections from said hollow plungers to open-' ings in a ring mounted on the rotating carrier;

an air supply valve cooperating with said ring to supply air to the hollow plunger to assist in the removal of excess fluid as the wad is being formed; a fourth stationary cam race on the frame; a reciprocable lower plunger for each mold for closing the bottom thereof, said reciprocatingmembers engaging the fourth stationary cam race to uncover the mold after the wad forming operation is complete; said third cam race then further moving the hollow plunger to eject the wad through the bottom of the mold when it is uncovered; and a second air supply valve cooperating with said ring to feed air to the hollow plunger to assist in the ejection of the formedwad.

4. In a machine for making gun wads from a slurry of-wad-forming materials, the combination comprising: stationary slurry holding means; a rotatable carrier; a slurry container; connections between said holding means and the container to feed'slurry thereto; a plurality of tubular wad molds provided with lateral drainage perforations; a sliding imperforate sleeve for each mold;

upon rotation of the carrier said slurry measuring means measures and tubular molds through cover the drainage perforations of the molds and the, reciprocating wad-forming and lower plunger-s form the wad material deposited in the molds.

' ARTHUR J. LEWIS.

feeds the slurry to the with lateral drainage said container, molds and tubes being the tubes, the sleeves un- 

